What Is the Root Canal Process?
A root canal involves removing infected or injured tissue (pulp) from inside the tooth down to the root, as the name suggests. Once all of the infected or damaged pulp is removed, the canal is disinfected, shaped, filled, and sealed with a special material called gutta-percha. The tooth is then sealed to protect it and prevent future infection.
After a root canal treatment, your tooth will look and feel like your natural tooth. Depending on your situation, we may recommend capping the tooth with a crown or bridge to ensure the tooth stays strong. We will likely recommend a crown on back teeth to avoid future damage because they endure a lot of pressure during eating.
It’s important to note that, in some cases, root canal surgery may be necessary when a regular root canal cannot be done or it has not worked. Surgery is performed to check the root of the tooth for fractures and cracks, remove damaged parts of the root, or clear up an infection that did not heal from the initial treatment.
Most root canal treatments are successful. In some cases, a second treatment may be necessary. At Heritage Pointe Dental, we will do everything in our power to save your tooth. However, if we’ve exhausted all options, we may need to extract the tooth altogether.
You may feel some mild discomfort after the anesthetic wears off, but it should subside within a week. You should never feel intense pain or swelling following the procedure. If you do, call us immediately.
